Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Apr;44(4):412-417.

Study on Immunohistochemical Expression of p53, Epidermal Growth Factor and c-erbB-2 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

• Lee DY
• Im DM
• Do NY
• Na HJ
• Choi JS
• Kim SH
• Kee KH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Cell proliferation and differentiation are regulated by growth factors and growth factor receptors. Inappropriate expressions of growth factors and oncogenes may influence the biological and clinical phenotype of tumor. But there are still controversy regarding their clinical attributions in head and neck cancer. The authors evaluated the prognostic significance of p53 protein, EGF and c-erbB-2 expression in the squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck to determine their relationship with the clinicopathologic parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Paraffin embedded tissue specimen from 64 cases of squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck were studied by immunohistochemical staining. RESULT: p53 protein, EGF and c-erbB-2 were expressed 53.1%, 29.7% and 57.8%, respectively, in 64 cases of head and neck cancer. The positive expression of p53 protein was associated closely with T-stage and clinical stage. This expression was statistically significant(P<0.05). There were no significant relationships between the reactivity of EGF, c-erbB-2 and clinical parameters.
CONCLUSION
The expressions of p53 protein, EGF and c-erbB-2 could be related to oncogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. And, the expression of p53 protein can be used as a prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Keyword

p53 protein; EGF; c-erbB-2; squamous cell ; carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Carcinogenesis
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Cell Proliferation
Epidermal Growth Factor*
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Head*
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Neck*
Oncogenes
Paraffin
Phenotype
Receptors, Growth Factor
Epidermal Growth Factor
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Paraffin
Receptors, Growth Factor